Childcare prices rocket £600 in a single year

Liberal Democrat analysis of the figures in the 2021 Coram Childcare Report and the 2022 Coram Childcare Report show a £596.83 rise for parents paying for 50 hours a week.

The figures also show an average rise of £37 a week, meaning an annual rise of £1,956 for parents in inner London.

The Liberal Democrats said the figures showed the Conservatives are neglecting “cash-strapped young parents” who are seeing their income squeezed even more by the cost of living crisis. The Liberal Democrats are calling for young families to be provided with free, high-quality childcare for children from 9 months until they begin school.

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP said:

“The huge increase in costs of childcare is hitting cash-strapped young parents who are already facing a cost of living crisis.

“The UK already has some of the highest childcare costs in the world. Parents up and down the country are struggling to afford their nursery fees, while for others the crippling costs of childcare mean they simply can’t afford to return to work.

“The Chancellor needs to fix this childcare crisis in the Spring Statement and invest properly in our children’s future.

“The Liberal Democrats believe parents deserve a fair deal with quality childcare provision for all, giving children the best start in life and parents more choice about when to return to work.”